Body System Checklist
- Respiratory System


ü Major functions of respiratory system

The main function of the respiratory system is to give blood to every part of your body via the blood, which gets oxygen by breathing.
Inhalation
Inhalation begins when a person breathes in oxygen from the air. The air then goes through the nasal passages where mucous catches unwanted particles such as dust and smoke. Moisture and heat is added by the nasal epithelium and the air continues through the body. Next, the air goes through the trachea, which is also called the windpipe, and goes into two bronchi which lead into the lungs. The bronchi split into bronchioles and alveoli at the bottom of them contain blood capillaries where diffusion occurs and the CO2 from the blood changes with oxygen in the alveoli. The oxygen rich blood eventually goes to the heart which pumps the oxygen to every other part in the body.
Exhalation
The main purpose of exhalation is to breathe out CO2. After the oxygen is taken out of the air, it goes the backwards route of inhalation and out of the nose. A muscle known as the diaphragm relaxes during exhalation, where in inhalation, it contracts. Inhalation and exhalation are the opposite processes of eachother.
Vocalization
Vocalization allow us to make sounds and talk. As air passes through the pharynx and larynx, the vocal cords begin to vibrate and produce a sound.
Coughing
Sometimes during inhalation, unwanted particles, like dust and pollen, enter the body and cause irritation. Mucous in the trachea catch the unwanted particles and expell them through coughing or sneezing.http://www.buzzle.com/articles/respiratory-system-functions.html

ü Describe how the structure of a cell inside the trachea (pseudostratified columnar epithelium tissue) provides an advantage on its function. (include goblet cells and cilia and what they do)

The pseudostratified columnar epithelium tissue is located within the trachea and is made up of a single layer of cells. Goblet cells and cilia are located within the pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Goblet cells were named because they were originally thought to look like wine goblets. The goblet cells in the trachea secrete mucus onto the surface, which catches unwanted particles in the trachea. Cilia are hairlike structures that are on the surface of the pseudostratified columnar epithelium. These hairlike structures sweep the unwanted particles upwards to the mouth where the particles can be coughed out.
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ü Explain the major parts -

trachea; is a long tube that runs through the lower neck and chest lungs, and is infront of the esophagus. The trachea conducts air between the larynx and the primary bronchi.

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diaphragm; Is the muscle between rib cage and spinal column. The function of the diaphragm is to allow the lung to expand and contract, to filter out oxygen throughtout the body.

epiglottis; The epiglottis is a thin lid-like flap of cartilage tissue that is attached to the root of the tongue. It sits in front of the larynx and in the back of the tongue. The function of the epiglottis is to allow air to pass through the larynx to be distributed to the rest of the respiratory system. It also covers the entrance to the larynx to prevent food and drink from entering the windpipe.

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larynx; is a short tube that is located in the throat. It's below the hyoid bone, and the tongue, but it sits infront of the espohagus. The larynx provides a safe passway way between the pharynx and the trachea.

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vocal cords; are located in the laynx. The three main functions are to protect the airway, from choking on things passing through the throat. to regulate the flow of air into the lungs, and to produce a voice for us to speak.

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ü Describe the “breathing” process.

o How is the diaphragm used to inhale and exhale?
o How and where do you get oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide? (include what happens at the alveoli here-look up gas exchange).



The breathing process begins when you breathe in air through your nose, and into your lungs. When this happens your lungs expand and cause the muscle called the diaphragm to contract and go down. When this causes pressure to build up in your chest and the oxygen that you breathe in passes through the lungs and into the arteries and the red blood cells carry the oxygen all over your body. The tissue in your body uses the oxygen for heat and energy and then burns it like a fuel. After the tissue uses the fuel it then turns into carbon dioxide and is carried back to the lungs by the veins. When the carbon dioxide reaches the lungs and the lungs are as full of air as they can hold you begin to exhale or breathe out. The carbon dioxide is blown back out of the lungs through the nose and mouth.



ü Explain what COPD is. What are some risk factors that contribute to COPD? What are some types of COPD?

- COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is a disease that becomes worse over time, it makes it harder to breathe and is usually caused if you smoke or used to smoke. Symptoms can be coughing, which can produce a lot of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightening of chest. These symptoms are caused by long-term lung irritation when things like chemicals, fumes, and dust get into your lungs from smoking. One form of COPD is emphyzema, this is caused from years of smoking. This is when little air sacs called aveoli become to stretchy and lose their elasticity. This makes it harder to breathe. Another type of COPD is chronic obstructive bronchitis. This is when the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed. This causes the lining to thicken. Lots of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it hard breathe.external image 17099.jpgexternal image Emphysema_centri-pan.jpg

ü Find 4 fun/interesting facts about your body system. You may list the facts as sentences or use them to create trivia questions.

1. Hiccups are caused by your diaphragm suddenly jerking and you suck air in quickly. Then that air causes the flap at the top of your windpipe to close shut. That inhaling and snapping shut is the sound of a hiccup. Hiccups can be caused by eating quickly, chewing gum, or drinking a lot of soda.
2. Even though your lungs appear exact, your right lung is slightly bigger and divided in​to 3 lobes, not 2 like the left lung.
3. You breathe in approximately 20 times a minute
4. You contain about 600 million little sacs called alveoli that shrink and expand with air in your lungs.

Develop 10 multiple choice questions and put them in your wiki so that your peers can answer them after you go over your body system.

1. The main function of the respiratory system is..
a) give you energy b) supply your blood with oxygen c) speed up chemical reactions
2. What is the purpose of mucous in your nasal passages?
a) to act as a filter for debris b) to help oxygen get to your lungs faster c) to control breathing
3. A form of COPD is..
a) trachea disorder b) alveoli disfunction c) emphyzema
4. Your trachea is..
a) behind your esophagus b) infront of your esophagus c) to the left of your esophagus
5. The function of your epiglottis is..
a) prevent food or drink from traveling down your windpipe b) allow air to pass through the larynx c) A & B d) none of the above
6. Emphysema is caused by
a) drinking b) laughing too much c) smoking
7. What is the purpose of cilia in the pseudostratified columnar epithelium?
a) to sweep unwanted particles b) to catch unwanted particles c) to move air
8. During inhalation, the diaphragm...
a) contracts b) expands c) stays the same
9. In the alveoli blood capillaries, CO2 exchanges with what other gas?
a) nitrogen b) oxygen c) hydrogen
10. What other organ helps distribute oxygen to the body?
a) kidney b) pancreas c) heart

ü Explain how your system might be involved, or not involved in the driver’s injury. Cite specific evidence.

Our system might be involved if the metal pole could have punctured one of his lungs. This is because one of the calls said the driver was coughing blood. This could be caused if he punctured a lung and blood gets into his respirtory system from his lungs and is being coughed out.